Page 232 of Deceit

“I’ve booked a therapist for myself,” he claims, messing nervously with his watch.

“That’s good,” I force myself to put out as even-tempered as I can manage. “I hope it’ll help.”

“My first appointment is tomorrow.”

I pluck a piece of bread from the basket to give myself something to do other than looking at the metal knife. “Let me know how it goes.”

A somewhat shocking look washes off Alexander and he gives me a curt nod. “I will. There must be some underlying issues that I have that…I blackout from.”

I wonder if that’s why he mentioned he didn’t date much. He stabbed them all.

“I know we have a ways to go,” Alexander continues. “However, there have been some things I’ve done since you’ve been gone.”

“Such as?”

“Your things.” I shrug because I left nothing behind that would do him any good. “Your emails.”

My body goes rigid because only one item comes to mind that he’d have any interest in. I’m not as big of an idiot to log into my work email on anything he owns.

But my personal email…yeah, I’m a fucking moron there.

“Your divorce papers.” I pin Alexander with a glare because I’m already tired of playing wounded girlfriend.

“You knew I was married,” I reply flatly.

“Yes—“ He leans back, carrying on his CEO, I’m not about to take any bullshit stance. ”—but not to your co-worker, Kace Bishop.”

“I never said his name.”

“You’re right. I never asked.”

“So?” I heard the defense in my tone and demand for it to stay the hell out of this conversation. I’ve come this far. I need to keep going.

“I filed them for you,” he states. “I forged your signature and made you available.” I cock my head to the side. “I couldn’t bear the thought of you being someone else’s when you were clearly mine.”

I ball my hands underneath the table and squeeze the bun in my hand to remain calm. “I’ve never seen you jealous before.”

“I never had anyone to make me so.”

I give a dismissive shrug. “Okay, so I’m divorced.”You stupid son of a bitch.“How did you pull that off?”

“Nothing spectacular, just knew people in high places.”

“Makes sense.”

“If we can make this work, it’ll give us a cleaner slate.”

I want nothing more than to dip out of here right now. I can’t bear to listen to another word that comes out of his mouth. I don’t want to think about a future with him.

I want one with Bishop.

“Alexander,” I say gently. “I’m glad you’re seeing a therapist, but…I’m scared of you. I don’t trust you.”I’m going to kill you.“How will we ever get past that? Am I supposed to hide knives from you in the house?”

“I don’t know,” he says. “I’m trying to take this one day at a time. I don’t want you to be terrified of me, and I know I did all of this. But I swear to you, I’d never hurt you again.”

“I want to believe you.”

“You will…one day, I promise. Even if it takes a year, we’ll get through this.” He leans down and brings up a manila folder from beside his seat. “This is the will and everything new that I drew up. Take your time reading it before I sign it.”

---